Birmingham Post

Last year's event raised more than £20,000 for charity, a significant proportion going to the Army Benevolent Fund.
Event host Roy Richardson said: "We have always recognised the efforts of local people who have displayed the essential elements and characteristics that typify St. George and English endeavour.
"The Black Country is famous for the quality of its people and their achievements. Richardsons are pleased to support this event which recognises and celebrates the very best that is truly English and so often inspired by the Black Country."
Bright has been invited but, not for the first time, has wimped out.
The last Richardsons bash he failed to make saw him wrestling with a burst pipe in the kitchen of his home.
Claims this time to have got a better offer – a freebie to Madeira.
Methinks it's more down to embarrassment from a previous St George's 'do' when the old soak fell asleep in the soup.
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I have news of an early casualty of the recent 'driving whilst using a mobile phone' clampdown – none other than the formerly law abiding stockbroker, Benjamin Browning.
Cannock Police were quick to pull him over.
Ben has always used humour as a defence in such scrapes.
Upon asked whether he had been watching television lately (and seen all the news about the new rules) – he responded that he thought watching telly at the wheel was illegal too. Our dear, friends in uniform did not see the funny side and handed out three points and £60 fine.
Small talk whilst filling in the paperwork with the two officers revealed that they knew most of Ben's family and vice versa (sorry I shouldn't have mentioned vice). Despite the new found common ground there was no turning back and the ticket was duly handed out.
Wallowing in self pity, the condemned man returned home a short while later only to find in the post – another fixed penalty for speeding through a camera elsewhere in Staffordshire.
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Sometime West Midland PR Jane Grant's boat has really come in.
Ms Grant, who used to do a lot of work for Black Country Business Link, has finally bagged her millionaire.
And knocking out some glowing blurb about the "success" of some grotty metal basher in the back streets of Tipton has it seems lost a little of its attraction.
My spy tells me that she is currently aboard her amour's "floating gin palace" anchored somewhere off Antigua for the cricket World Cup.
Gosh it's a tough life in PR.
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I hear that Chris "Burger King" Howard, of Midlands graphic design firm Think Inc, has also hit the big time.
Howard only eats burgers and to mark his devotion has been offered a deal by Birmingham bar Utopia.
For every ten burgers our hero eats, he'll get a free one.
Howard is said to be "elated".
The Grim Reaper is rubbing his hands too.
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Driving to the office this week on the M40, I looked over to my right and there was a woman in a brand new BMW doing 90mph with her face up close to her rear view mirror putting on her eyeliner!
I looked away for a couple of seconds and when I looked back she was halfway over in my lane still working on that makeup!
It scared me so much that I dropped my electric shaver, which knocked the bacon roll out of my other hand.
In all the confusion of trying to straighten up the car using my knees against the steering wheel, I knocked my mobile from my ear, which fell into the coffee between my legs, causing it to splash and burn Big Jim and the Twins. This made me to scream, which made me drop the cigarette out of my mouth, ruined my shirt and disconnected an important call.
Bloody women drivers!
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Suave Ben Jowett just isn't the same nowadays. Especially since his coiffured locks are now no more.
Ben, a senior surveyor in the residential department at Birmingham-based property consultancy King Sturge, had to get rid of his crowning glory after being "conned" by workmates to do something worthwhile for charity.
He moans: "They caught me off guard. I was right in the middle of producing an urgent report when someone said 'will you shave off your hair for charity, Ben?' I said 'whatever' without realising what I had done – and then it was too late to change my mind."
But as more and more of his precious curls fell to the floor – shorn off by colleague Simon Lea, the demon barber of King Sturge's building consultancy team – so the pounds rolled in for charity.
The head-shaving took place before a cheering audience at the Metro Bar & Grill – the Friday afternoon happy hunting ground for the high-flyers of Birmingham's property community.
And by the time the "operation" had finished, Ben, who plays rugby for Selly Oak, had raised over £1,050 for charity.
Still, Bright says it is about time the boy got some of his own back.
Selly Oak are forever forcing poor unfortunates to drink yards of ale in Moseley's clubhouse where they do their boozing.
Not a pretty sight.
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Now we know the reason why Birmingham businessman John James announced this week he was offloading many of his public roles including his chairmanship of the West Midlands arm of the Institute of Directors.
Yes, he has finally 'come out'.
This may be a disappointment to a number of women around Birmingham and Solihull, but personally I think he looks rather fetching.
Actually, it could have something to do with a plug for an upcoming Birmingham Press Club event.
It is staging a Night of Decadence although quite what is unusual about that I can't think – every monthly press club bash I have experienced down the Old Royal pub in the city centre has turned into a night of decadence.
Anyway, it takes place on June 21 at the Mailbox and several hours of "total indulgence" are promised in aid of JJ's Get AHead charity, albeit I didn't think the great man was supposed to have any problem in that department.
Contact is Lisa Kennedy, community relations manager for Barclays who have promised to match part of the money raised.
She can be reached on 07775 548426.
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Birmingham Chamber spin doctor Roger Monkman is not your average fluffy PR with a barmaid's smile and a dubious line in bull**** – and we're all very grateful for that.
The gnarled old hack turned even older PR man – who has already defied medical science by running over his own head and surviving (on no, not again) – has at last been recognised for his statesmanlike qualities.
Introducing a film of grinning Chamber employees at a presentation evening at Edgbaston the other night, Chamber chief executive Jerry Blackett singled out Balsall Common's very own Lee Marvin for mention.
After Roger's Clint Eastwood-style grimace was flashed before an incredulous audience, Jerry said: "It is impossible to make Roger smile at work, but he is pretty good out of it."
Fellow drinkers will nod wisely at the remark.